Should I change my last name?I got married over year ago, and I did not change my last name after my husband. We are about to send petition I-130, along with I-485, G-325a, I-864, I-693, I-765, and fingerprint form (70$). Should I change my last name before we send all this forms or leave it as it is. Thank You for response.
Are you planning to change it anyway? My wife changed hers a couple of months before we filed. Of course, most of our support documents show her maiden name, but this is acceptable since the USCIS deals with many newlywed cases.
Although I have no first hand experience, my guess would be that youd be better off not changing it while the case is pending, i.e. either before you file or after he receives his GC. But Id be curious what others did, too.
In particular, does anyone think if one waits to change it until after the conditional GC is received, it will later create a problem when filing for removing the condition on the GC? Does it look bad at the interview if wife and husband have different last names, maybe?
My wife changed her name to mine. All you need is the notarized copy of your marriage certificate. Then go to the DMV get a new licence, then go to the SSA and get a new SS Card. That is it. You could also submit an expedited request for an US passport (takes about 2 weeks).
If you do not have a problem having your husbands name, then I recommend you change it. It would prevent the IO from asking "so why didnt you change your name?".
bravewmn, what my wife did (based on her cultural background) is to change her maiden last name to be her new middle name, and she took my last name. I think this might have general advantages for the transition, because your former last name would still show up in your name, plus if you feel connected to your last name, its a way of keeping it. Per my wifes culture, our children will also have her maiden name as their middle names and then my last name. Ill be the only one in the family that doesnt get to have her last name.